Keshia Knight Pulliam dishes on ‘National Give Back Day’ and reality TV
After wowing audiences for years with her on-screen portrayals, actress and philanthropist Keshia Knight Pulliam is leading the charge for volunteerism. Pulliam is the ambassador for Allstate’s National Give Back Day, a national program that encourages service on Martin Luther King day and honors four African American Give Back Day heroes. Below, Pulliam details how her affiliation with Allstate feeds her longtime love of service and explains how readers can participate. She also speaks briefly on rumors that she’s doing reality television. –danielle canada
Talk to us about Allstate’s national Give Back Day program, what is it and how can people get involved?
Allstate Give Back Day was created as a way to encourage people to use Martin Luther King day as a day on instead of a day off. It’s all about giving back to the community in honor of Dr. King. What I really love about it is that highlights everyday African-American volunteers. They have four people that they’re honoring this year; Joseph Cole from Nashville, Margaret Dixon from Oakland, Jackie Lomax from Chicago and Freedom Wright from Atlanta. They’re very diverse in what they do and what they’ve done is recognized a need in a community and figured out how they can help.
Now you’re known for your philanthropy with Kamp Kizzy. For all those who don’t know, what is it and how did you get the idea to start it?
I’ve been wanting to do a non profit for a very longtime. Giving back is something I’ve done forever, at Spelman I was a Bonner scholar , I did a program with Girl Scouts of America and I was a mentor while I was in school. When you’ve been blessed the way I have, you have to be a blessing to other people. It’s just important, I just understand that I have a greater responsibility. I want to instill in them [Kamp Kizzy attendees] values of self respect, believing in themselves and self esteem.
Your organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated is already known for its service but what would you say to your sorors to encourage them to participate this year?
I would tell them it’s what the organization is founded on. That is a big part of the mission you take on as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. It’s about sisterhood, it’s about service. So often people may join for a myriad of reasons but what this organization was founded on was philanthropy, humanitarianism is how we can make this world a better place. Every little bit helps, it’s about paying it forward.
A few months back a rumor surfaced that you were joining the Real Housewives of Atlanta, do you have any idea where that stemmed from?
Who knows? People come up with all types of things. It’s life, it’s part of the business but no I’m not going to be on the Housewives.
Are you opposed to reality TV?
No, I’m not opposed to it, I think there’s a place for it but people can have a little more responsibility with it. There’s a lack of balance, not to say people aren’t experiencing what is on ‘Real Housewives’ or any other show but I feel there is a big part of reality that isn’t tapped into. For me anything that I do has to be very authentic to who I am.
How can people keep up with you on the Web?
Keshia Knight Pulliam: KeshiaKnightPulliam.me, KampKizzy.org and visit www.allstate.com/givebackday to learn more about opportunities to give back on Jan. 21.
